Jul 18, 2014

If you follow my Facebook page, you likely already know that I lost my dog Molly this week. She was fourteen years old and had been with me since she was a puppy. Her health was impeccable until the last year or so, when she developed congestive heart failure and kidney failure, which was too much to ask of her little body ultimately. The decision to help her pass was one of the most difficult I have ever had to make in my life, but I know it was the right one. It was some comfort to have been able to hold her in the end and let her go with the dignity she deserved. It was a blessing to have had her company for so many years, but I miss her terribly. She will always be my first baby. RIP Mol. ♥

Molly was 9 years old when we got our first chicks and while she was fleetingly curious about them, the curiosity soon passed and it seemed either distrust or fear took its place. She never really did warm up to the chickens, but she was tolerant of the countless baby chicks and recovering chickens she shared her space with in my office and subscribed to a live and let live policy, which worked out just fine for everyone.

Molly wasn't fond of dressing up, but agreed reluctantly to model a Vetericyn bandana. Such a good sport.

Sorry for Your Loss! I share your pain. Have had two 14 yr old pass over the rainbow. Each are still with us cremated and have a great view of all of us left behind. Thank you for still holding the drawing.... egg cartons.com has great products.

"Some of you, particularly those who think they have recently lost a dog to 'death', don’t really understand this. I've had no desire to explain, but won’t be around forever and must.

Dogs never die. They don’t know how to. They get tired, and very old, and their bones hurt. Of course they don’t die. If they did they would not want to always go for a walk, even long after their old bones say: 'No, no, not a good idea. Let's not go for a walk.' Nope, dogs always want to go for a walk. They might get one step before their aging tendons collapse them into a heap on the floor, but that's what dogs are. They walk.

It’s not that they dislike your company. On the contrary, a walk with you is all there is. Their boss, and the cacaphonic symphony of odor that the world is. Cat poop, another dog’s mark, a rotting chicken bone (exultation), and you. That’s what makes their world perfect, and in a perfect world death has no place.

However, dogs get very very sleepy. That’s the thing, you see. They don't teach you that at the fancy university where they explain about quarks, gluons, and Keynesian economics. They know so much they forget that dogs never die. It’s a shame, really. Dogs have so much to offer and people just talk a lot.

When you think your dog has died, it has just fallen asleep in your heart. And by the way, it is wagging its tail madly, you see, and that’s why your chest hurts so much and you cry all the time. Who would not cry with a happy dog wagging its tail in their chest. Ouch! Wap wap wap wap wap, that hurts. But they only wag when they wake up. That’s when they say: 'Thanks Boss! Thanks for a warm place to sleep and always next to your heart, the best place.'

When they first fall asleep, they wake up all the time, and that’s why, of course, you cry all the time. Wap, wap, wap. After a while they sleep more. (remember, a dog while is not a human while. You take your dog for walk, it’s a day full of adventure in an hour. Then you come home and it's a week, well one of your days, but a week, really, before the dog gets another walk. No WONDER they love walks.)

Anyway, like I was saying, they fall asleep in your heart, and when they wake up, they wag their tail. After a few dog years, they sleep for longer naps, and you would too. They were a GOOD DOG all their life, and you both know it. It gets tiring being a good dog all the time, particularly when you get old and your bones hurt and you fall on your face and don’t want to go outside to pee when it is raining but do anyway, because you are a good dog. So understand, after they have been sleeping in your heart, they will sleep longer and longer.

But don’t get fooled. They are not 'dead.' There’s no such thing, really. They are sleeping in your heart, and they will wake up, usually when you’re not expecting it. It’s just who they are.

I feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs sleeping in their heart. You’ve missed so much. Excuse me, I have to go cry now."

So sorry to hear about Molly. Just from these pictures anyone can tell that she lived a long, full life and had love surrounding her through it all. She looks like such a beautiful girl! Remember the happy moments and honor her memory <3

Any Day now I should have 20 more chickens giving me beautiful eggs! I started supplying a Senior Community because the elderly are so appreciative of all the different colors and shapes of eggs. They make my Day :) These sure would come in handy!

I did not see the post about Molly's passing. That makes me sad. I have three dogs which are my children and know the value of our fluffy children. Please know you are in my heart and prayers. I have not been receiving all the blogs I like to read, so I don't know what is going on in the internet world. Love your blog.

So hard to lose a member of the family, I'm so sorry. She looked like she lived a very happy life full of lots of love!! If you never read the poem "The Rainbow Bridge" Google it! Until you meet her again I wish you comfort and love.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose our fur babies. Helping them to go peacefully when the time comes is the right thing to do. But you'll miss her forever, just as I miss my first son, Fred, who has been gone for 30 years.

I'm SO very sorry to hear about your dear Molly. I'm a HUGE animal lover and know the pain of losing a beloved pet. May God give you peace and the strength to get thru this very difficult time.. My sincerest condolences.

Molly will always be with you, sometimes the memories will make you laugh, sometimes they'll make you cry because you miss her so much but it is those memories of her that will stay with you forever and help with the loss.

I am so sorry to hear about your precious Molly. It's a bittersweet fact that we live long enough to love many pets, but we know that it's a blessing to have had each one. I send you comfort in the precious name of Jesus, knowing that the Lord takes good care of us. I know that your memories of Molly will always be sweet.

I'm sorry to read about Molly. I cried when I lost my favorite chicken earlier this year. I actually had her cremated and keep an engraved box on my mantel with her picture next to it. With dogs you can usually have a mold of their paw made through the vets office. Pets give us so much unconditional love, but it can be so heartbreaking when they pass away. May Molly rest in peace.

i'm so sorry to hear about your baby..i have a mollie she is 15..i've had her since she was a puppy..if she sleeps late i think somethings wrong..about afraid to check on her..i dread the day..love and prayers

I am so sorry to hear about Molly, my baby will be 10 this year. . We just started with our chickens so she is the same age as Molly was when you got yours. She is tolerant, but jealous of any treats they get ☺. May your loving memories of her help heal the pain.

I'm so sorry about Molly. It's amazing how furry, feathered, and finned friends can occupy such a huge place in our hearts, no matter their size. Congratulations on your life together, and I hope you'll be able to smile again soon.

I am so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain, since my loss last year of my 13 year old Cocker Poo. I had to make that same decision and it is so hard, you just want to do what is right for them, but the pain in your heart is so everlasting. Prayers to you and your family and Molly enjoy your beautiful gold Angel Wings and play and have fun with all the other Fur Children that have passed over "The Rainbow Bridge". The egg cartons are a beautiful color and would be a joy to win.

I'm so sorry about Molly. I worry every time my 13ish Rhodesian Ridgeback is off that it will soon be time. He has been with us 9 years now and I know that someday his time will come that he'll ask to be let go or he'll pass peacefully in his sleep. You have my thoughts and love.

I would love to have these egg cartons. I've been collecting the cartons from the store until our hens reach the laying age. So sorry for your loss. She looked like a precious pup. It's so very hard to loose them. :(

In my profile picture, I'm the little girl on the right, hugging our beagle, "Spot." She didn't live as long as Molly, maybe 5 or 6 years, but she was really sweet. My sister and I didn't know how sick she was. We were stunned when she left us. We had gone on a family weekend trip to Virginia Beach, and Spot "died" while we were away. As a child, I didn't understand what had happened, but I remember feeling very guilty that we left her with the vet for that weekend. I also remember how sad my mother was. Many ((hugs)) to you and your family, Kathy!

What a wonderful tribute to your Molly! I know it's so hard to do, keep celebrating her life as it is the best thing to do to honor her and you are doing a wonderful job of that with the beautiful tribute here! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity as usual!

I am so sorry to hear about your Molly :( brought tears to my heart. I have a 13 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever and I treasure every day with her because I know her time is coming all too soon in the future. Big hugs from Alaska.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your little fur-baby. One of my little shelties had to go last year and I still miss her so. I love the teal egg cartons. I've ordered from them before and they are a great company. Good quality and quick to ship.

So sorry about Molly. That is the hardest decision to make - when help them over the Rainbow Bridge. The best consolation is knowing they are no longer in pain/discomfort. We miss our cherished yellow labs.

I'm sorry t o hear about Molly. It's not easy but it will get better. I'm not one to advocate getting a replacement, at least not as a replacement, but consider getting another dog, or act as a foster parent to one, and do it for her. That is what helped us when we lost our Alphie.

So sorry about Molly my heart breaks for you I went through the same thing 3 years ago with my Sierra. It was kidney failure and then seizures. I was like you I had to have her put to sleep but I was holding her and talking to her in the end. I know she was listening and was not in anymore pain.

My heart goes out to you. So sorry for your loss. Praying for you. I lost my little BoBo at the end of June to the same exact thing. Like you I had him since he was a puppy. He was so small he fit in one hand.

It is always hard to say good bye to a pet. I too stay with mine at the end. I couldn't bare the thought of letting them go by themselves. I'm sure Molly appreciated having you accompany her in the end.

So so sorry to hear about Molly. I too know the pain of loosing a beloved member of the family (because they are more than just pets) so you have my deepest sympathy and I hope you find comfort in knowing you gave her a good life and that she's at peace now.

I am sorry for your loss of Molly. I have lost 3 pets in the past few years and know how tough it is. There are so many animals that need homes in the US I hope you find it in your heart to adopt another pet in the years to come. Thank you for all that you do - I have learned so much from your blog.

I also have a Molly. She is 13 and has a cancerous tumor in her right shoulder that was inoperable. God has given us a full year more than we expected when she was diagnosed. But I'm afraid her end is nearing. So sorry to hear about your Molly. It's a hard decision to make. Love all of your posts. Can't wait for the drawing.

So sorry for your loss. Dogs are such sweet companions and it's very hard to say goodbye. Spend some time with family and out at the chicken coops today. Spending time with my girls always makes me feel better... :) ((hugs))..

Thank you for sharing your loves and your losses with such deep emotion. You have so much courage! You are an inspiration in every way. My deepest sympathy for your loss and respect for how you create love in the lives of everyone you touch, dog, chicken, or human.

So sorry for your loss. Maybe this will cheer you up a bit. I love your facebook page and the photos you share. It really inspires me to finish out my coop and make it the beautiful image in my head. Your flock and your coops are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing so many lovely photos on facebook.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Molly. It is sad that animals don't live as long as we do. Whenever I think about having another join our family, the thought is already there that he/she will have a limited lifetime. It's a choice we make when we decide to love them. RIP, Molly. You were loved.

It hurts so when we lose our family members. Sympathy to you from all of us. And please enter my girls for the egg cartons. The ameracauna girls want to know if their eggs will still show up because of the tint... They are feelin lucky!

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